local authority:   London Borough of Southwark

St George’s Church Housing Co-operative comprises 30 one bedroom flats situated at the edge of Burgess Park in the Camberwell SE5 area of London.

St George’s Church was originally built in 1824 by a local architect Francis Octavius Bedford and was one of the ‘million pound’ churches paid for by a vote of Parliament being part of the thanks for a grateful nation for deliverance from Napoleon. By 1976 it had become deconsecrated and derelict and in the early 1980’s a serious fire destroyed the interior leaving only the external walls and the tower standing. CDS Co-operatives redeveloped the church between October 1992 and May 1994 with initial tenancies commencing in June 1994.

The co-operative is an independent fully mutual co-operative and there is a founder member group that meets on a quarterly basis that may take full control of the co-operative at some stage in the future.

The homes are built on three floors within the existing walls around a central courtyard. Properties benefit from fitted kitchens and bathrooms and have electric storage heaters with economy 7 off peak heating and hot water. The development is secure with an entry phone system to prevent unauthorised access.

There are pleasant and mature communal gardens which surround the church and off street parking in the church grounds with a card entry only barrier gate in operation.

Extensive shopping facilities are a 15 minute walk away in Walworth Road. The immediate area is currently undergoing transformation with the regeneration of the nearby ‘North Peckham Estate’.

St George’s Co-operative has contractual tenancies and has a 50% nominations agreement with the London Borough of Southwark. CDS Co-operatives allocates the remaining 50% to those in housing need on its own waiting list.